Late change on signs irks candidates

West Auckland local board candidates are fuming over the late bid by Auckland Transport to change the bylaw concerning roadside election advertising signs.

One candidate, Linda Cooper, said the council controlled organisation had a "shonky" process trying to change a bylaw it passed on May 30 to bring in a regional standard.

"I was super-organised and had two signs ready to go for Saturday when we are allowed to put them up," said Mrs Cooper, whose bill for signs could top $9000.

"Now, all the people who have new signs printed won't know until Friday's AT meeting whether the requirements have changed."

Elizabeth Grimmer said if she had known by Monday this week she could have stopped printing of her new signs.

"I will seek reimbursement of my costs for new signs if the bylaw is changed, because I could have used the ones from last election."

Mike Jolley said four days' notice of such a change was unfair when 90 per cent of Auckland's candidates would already have new signs ready to comply with type size and gaps between lines specified on May 30.

An Auckland Transport spokesman said that, if approved, the changes would take effect from Monday.

"The proposals are to remove what we consider unnecessary restrictive requirements relating to the font size and lighting of billboards."